Yr used the chaos of the following days. Skey-Er returned to their land, triumphant and ready to strike again. The allies stayed where they were, tending to their wounds. Even generals couldn't agree on what the next move would be. She kept telling people around about some 'mission' she was assigned and left one early morning. Taking a walk in a misty early hour, she spotted horses resting in a paddock. One of the horses she had ridden before, a black stallion with a short foretop. The animal was anxious after the battle, kicking in the paddock all day and trotting nervously. It seemed like a perfect match in crime for her. She grabbed her pre-packed rucksack, kissed sleeping Ota's forehead and was gone within minutes. The sentinel nodded without asking questions.

She used a steady canter for most of the day. The road here was not the best quality. She remembered how tiresome the march was for the army on foot and was grateful for the four-legged companion. The horse's hooves echoed on the stones rhythmically, and a few times Yr thought she heard a distant clatter behind as if someone was riding far away following her route. It must have been her imagination. There was nobody on the road.

In the evening, she stopped and rested by a fire not far from the beaten track, listening carefully to the sounds of the night. She ate some rations and put up a makeshift tent to protect her from the insects and other tiny intruders with more than six legs. She thought about what she was doing and why and how everything had changed recently. She has served her country for almost twenty years. She was a member of the 'Solummger Aid' team twelve years ago when one of many border conflicts broke out between Skey-Er and Landhapis. It was not a war. Still, she took part in skirmishes, used her gun and had her spear ready. She followed her general and trusted that she was part of making the world a better place, where aggressive and greedy Skey-Er must be taught their lesson. Her personal life was a mess, but the army gave her clear purpose and stability. As a young woman, she found her haven first in the Domicile, the place she would always call 'home', and then the uniform became her armour. Because she needed armour, something to hold on to that would give her strength. In the next fifteen years, she became strong and tough. She was good at being a soldier. Not a hero like Asdraghom and not a genius leader like some legendary kings and marshals from history books. She was good at keeping others in check, good at standing like a rock when young people who served under her felt lost. She was rising in ranks, subordinates trusted her, generals trusted her too. The core of what she became was built from the trust she had in every decision made in the capital. She never doubted any of them, knew who was bad and who was good. She saw it with her own eyes: Landhapis villages rampaged by Skey-Er gangs, empty eyes of women looking at their burnt homes after the savages from the west crossed the borders. It was clear then. It was still clear when she sailed to join this war. Now nothing was clear. When she thought of the past, she could now hear the lies that were repeated over and over until nobody could hear any false notes in the stories. Landhapis not only lied to Solummger. They showed another face of fools and cowards. Adding to that how exaggerated the narrative about Skey-Er's crimes were - she realised she had been on the wrong side for much longer than the months of this war. Yet she still had trust in the Field Marshal. And the king. Yr knew if these people heard the truth (if she gets the chance to speak to any of them) they would make the right decision.

She looked at the small fire. For the first time since long ago she was alone, no soldiers around her, no friends and no foes. Mesmerised by the flames her mind drifted away, to the times when she did not know why she was different to other people. To the moment when she was told she was in the Special Forces. To those many times when men called her beauty and she did not care at all. To the broken heart and following pain it caused for years to come. To her parents' death. To the first time when she lost her soldiers in a battle. The flames and everything around became blurred and her cheeks became moist. Deep inside her, beneath iron and rock, there was something soft and fragile. She had been hiding it from herself for years. Only one person, Ottaine, could reach out to that inner Yr and it did not scare her.

'Enough' she suddenly said and wiped her face. There was still another battle to win. For her country's honour and for the Nogo's tribe. She put out the fire and lay down, closing her eyes.

Far away a person who had been following her all day decided to catch some sleep too.

The morning arrived with curious sun’s rays cutting through the grass' blades right into Yr's eyelids. She didn't want to waste time and in less than fifteen minutes mounted the black horse. Again, she had this unpleasant feeling that someone was watching her but just like the day before she couldn't see anybody. During the day the landscape changed a little. The last time marching this road she didn't notice such things but now she could clearly see the wild bushes changed into fields and at the horizon, she spotted roofs of something that could be proper manors. It seemed this area was home to some rich farmers. The horse hooves kept clattering on the stony road and Yr started thinking, that if those farmers had what she thought they had... travelling using alternative means of transport would be much easier. Landhapis wealthier villages still had ornichicks, small dragons with strong muscular legs and fairly comfortable backs. In Solummger they were hardly ever seen. She saw one only once in her life, as a kid, watching some funfair race. The dragon was not suitable for a long-distance, here nothing could beat loyal horses. However, if someone wanted to visit a neighbour a good few miles away, or needed to cut on uneven terrain, ornichick was the best choice. Or, if she wanted to silently spy on a woman riding a horse, she would steal a dragon to cut the distance, unnoticed.

Around noon she ran out of water. She didn't have any maps but she memorised the route between Fuerumig and Gaal weeks ago. Her excellent sight memory helped too, she knew where the nearby ponds and streams should be. She tied the horse near the road and took a walk through wildly growing vegetation. After just over half an hour she heard a soft ripple of a stream. Exactly where she expected it. She quenched her thirst and filled both two skins she had. Never leave such crucial things for later - she told herself. If something happens and she has to run, better to do so with water reserves. Then she came back to fetch the horse and let the animal drink. When she was walking the stallion she heard it. Someone or something was approaching from the direction of the road. Yr quietly moved and hid in the grass. The heavy, slow steps were closer. Now very close. Something was moving behind the horse. She saw two thick legs with camouflaging green feathers. These feathers reminded her of the Nogo tribe. The creature stopped and Yr repressed laughter. It was a dragon. An ornichick. She waited patiently and after a minute or two, the rider dismounted the dragon. She saw military-style boots and grey trousers. Yr jumped out from her hiding, loading a gun and aimed at the tall person who had been spying on her for the last couple of days.

'Don't shoot!' the person cried hearing the sound of the released trigger, turning towards Yr and putting hands up. The sudden movement made the knot at the back of her neck untied the same moment she was turning and a mass of black dreadlocks fell on Magalla's face.

'Shit!' she said, spitting out her own hair, 'you really scared me.'

'You stole a military horse and a dragon,' Yr repeated what Magalla had told her. They were going back towards the road and had to decide what to do next.

'The ornichick will not take you far, Gally.'

Magalla smiled at the way Yr had called her. In over thirty years of her life, she had no idea her name could be shortened in such a strange way and now the second person started using this diminutive.

'I know, but the horse had to rest.'

'Why did you take a wounded horse in the first place?'

'I've told you it was well. It is well. Just need more time. Oh no, don't you give me this look,' she said when Yr's eyes met hers and she understood, like many times before, why the soldiers listened to this woman without even a seed of sceptical thought.

'Of course, you know how to tell the difference between a sick animal and a healthy animal with just some stitches on a wound. Because Verlar told you one thing or two,' Yr said sarcasticaly without wanting to let this go.

'No, because I spent a lot, maybe too much time around horses when I was little. And anyway, you were not there in the stable, you didn't see how he was happy to be outside the stall, how it was kicking and jumping. And anyway, what could I do? Someone took a black stallion just hours before.'

'What about the ornichick?' Yr was clearly ready to finish the horse-related conversation.

'Now, when Rubin has rested I will just let it go. It will follow its own scent back home. I was thinking about attaching a pouch to its leg so the owner does not ask questions.'

'Here, take these,' Yr handed Magalla some silver and golden coins. 'Pay them generously. Ornichicks are not cheap.'

'Cheaper than horses thought... I promise if I see Rubin's got worse I will leave him in the nearest settlement.'

'And how will you follow me?'

'I will have to run.'

Yr laughed at the joke but little did she know Magalla was serious. She has never told Yrzlaruki what Verlar and Ottaine knew about her. She was, after all, a self-made essudus and yes, if there was a need for it - she would run all day. She would not be able to replenish lost stamina like other essudi did. Her body was unable to absorb energy and convert it to own use. Yet to use what she had, with a few hours sleep and something to eat? Many times while watching essudi she wondered who would win in a competition.

'You should not follow me at all. You said you wanted to make sure I get to Fuerumig in one piece. Why wouldn't I manage on my own?'

'Because I have a bad feeling. Ota and Ver won't waste their time. I'm sure right now they are talking to Solummger generals about Landhapis. What happens if the generals don't like what they hear? What if Ota mentions Yaphara and it raises suspicions? You have left without telling anybody where you're going, which might raise more suspicion. Someone will follow you and if I am around... I might help you out of this.'

'Why me? If what you just said will happen then Verlar will be in danger too.'

'But you went on your own. And your mission is... importanter. Anyway, I don't really think Verlar and Ota would face any consequences. I heard a lot of soldiers moaning about the war, the army, the leadership and... just anything. They would talk about how they hate it here, and how they wish this whole conflict would end this way or another so they can sail back home. Now some people will talk more? So what? Ottaine can say she saw that Skey-Er is great and filled with peace-loving people who craft their beers better. She lost her friend and can't stand this war anymore. And Verlar could say something like that too. He sent his beloved dragons to die, he lost a friend too, the woman he... Anyway, they will be fine. If there's anybody who needs help it's you,' she finished just as they approached the road. Magalla's stolen horse has been waiting there, Yr had to admit it was looking healthy. The hours without a rider rested him and now the stolen dragon could be sent back.

'But I don't need help,' Yr continued arguing. 'And you shouldn't be seen with me. I've already explained how it's better not to show all your cards, didn't I?'

'I won't be riding next to you. I will follow from a distance. Once we leave this overgrown area I can ride in parallel with you and just guard you. I'll be your shadow and you'll know I'm there if you need me. How about that?' Magalla couldn't help and shot the last arrow: 'Come on, Ottaine would love this idea. She's very protective over her independent and brave commander.'

Yr realised that no matter what she says, Magalla will ride behind her. Deep inside she even liked this idea. So she nodded and mounted her horse.

'Fine. But I am on my way now. Make sure Rubin is alright, and... thank you.'

For the rest of the day she didn't see any sign of Magalla. Didn't hear her in the distance but the area became less densely overgrown, a horse would indeed ride far away from the road. In the evening she set up a small camp just like the night before. This time, after she lit a fire, she saw a faint light of another one in the west. Looking at the bright stars she was grateful for the unseen company of this strange woman. Falling asleep was easy this time, the past was gone and the future unknown. The presence was filled with cicadas' singing and the movement of the galaxy above.

At first, Yr didn't know why she woke up. The fire hasn't died yet, she could still see the same constellations. From where they moved she calculated that not more than an hour has passed. The horse was moving and snorting nervously. She heard the grass breaking under many feet. Yr got ready to fight back wild animals who came for the horse. But the steps didn't match any predator that could roam this part of the world.

Stolen story; please report.

She realised what's going on just in time to act. She quickly grabbed one stick from the fire and used it as a torch, her coat she used as a shield from the blinding light. Turning around she saw the approaching six men, one more person was hiding in the distance. She recognised that hair. Sorry, Gally, I must! she thought and looking at the dark eyes she started saying some words. All of the men lowered their spears and riffles and, whispering the words of Solummger national anthem, stood helpless. Yr knew it would not last long. She could use only words, put them in their heads. Six people, six times the effort. It was not making drunk men sing a song in a pub. It was breaking through barriers of focus and commitment. They would break it any moment and she would need to either drain them with illegal Demand or fight them. Either way, she was in trouble. She had no choice though, she must get to Fuerumig. She will explain her actions later when the mission is accomplished and the Nogo Forest future saved. She was moving from one to another hitting them in the spots that would make them lose consciousness. But they started breaking the spell and fighting back, still saying the words she put in their heads. The weapons were picked from the ground. Now real combat has started. And then she saw Magalla's face smiling, not mesmerised and striking from the backline. She winked at Yr and with astonishing speed fought three of them at the same time. In what seemed like a few moments it was over. The men were lying on the ground, Magalla was tying their legs and hands with a string she took out of her pocket.

'Nobody told you?' she asked Yr, seeing her puzzled expression.

'Told me?'

And Magalla told Yr the same story she told months ago to three friends back in Solummger's western port before they sailed to Landhapis. Yrzlaruki was as surprised as Ottaine was then, she even asked similar questions. So that was this woman’s secret! That’s why she was alyways so… energised, so vigorous and focused.

There would be more questions and answers in the future but right now they had other things to think about. There was no time to waste but Rubin's wound made Yr very concerned. The horse was not ready to ride full speed for a prolonged time. They decided Yr would go right away and find a place to rest after riding for two hours at least. Magalla will blindfold the soldiers and make sure they can't do anything till morning. Then she will follow, checking for the pursuit from the north.

It was a good plan. The best they could think of at that time. But the next day when the sun was at its zenith Magalla heard the sound that was not pleasant to hear. Instantly, she knew Yr would be stopped and there was nothing she could do. 'They repaired it. They fucking repaired the fucking plane,' she cried helplessly as small Eolla crossed the sky in the east, flying towards Landhapis capital.

Without a second thought she turned back to see if she could do something back at the camp she left a few days ago. If it was too late… she would steal a horse again and head north. There was the only hope she could think of.

'Tell us from the beginning.'

'Well, so I was taking the pigs on the cart and I saw this man who was walking around the village. Nobody knew him, he just hangs out there looking normal, but I heard him speaking and he's a Skey-Er, I swear on my mother. So he is there and I'm behind the cart and I see the sailor guy talking to him and they laugh and shake hands and I didn't think of it as something important but now when people say that lot is up to something... The next morning I'm in the cantine heaving breakfast and these women come, Varsheghom and Lileghom. They're always together. So they have breakfast too. I had two fried eggs, bread and tomato and a weak ale to wash it down. Varshgom had mushroom stew and bread and water and Lileghom had boiled eggs and cheese and orange juice...' The man stopped seeing the expression of the judge, a petite woman in her forties, an elf, with a round face and curly brown hair with grey strands. Her hazel eyes were piercing the private who shrank on his chair.

'How relevant to the story is this?' she asked coldly.

'Ehm.... what?'

'The breakfasts everybody had. How important is it for everybody to know?'

'It... it gives the... it gives the context?'

'Pardon? A context? To what? What does it have to do with your story? The choice of food matters?'

'Maybe it was poisoned? Spoilt? And then because of that, something else happened?' another jury member tried to help the interrogated private.

'Uhm, no. It was good. The food.'

'So? Why are you telling us who ate what?' asked the judge, rolling her eyes.

'Some... people... like to know... about food people eat? It makes them... more attached to them?' the private said very quietly looking at the elf as if he was the one charged with the crime.

The judge just stared at the man. The rest of the jury were scared to interrupt, one woman on the left gave the private an encouraging smile. The judge spoke:

'I'd like you to get to the point. What happened? What did you see and hear? What. Is. The. Story.' she said through her teeth.

'Yes. So after breakfast, I hung around these two and heard them talking about this 'tribe'. I didn't know what they meant but I didn't like it. They were spending all the time together, even the nights, which means they were plotting things, not for the ears of the rest of us.'

'I remind you that you are not here to conclude. But yes, you are probably right. And our jury is sure the 'tribe' is a code word for Skey-Er emissaries. Go on.'

'Then I had to go to do my things. There was this woman with dreadlocks, she was working for the provisioning team and hanging out with the suspects. At some point, she was spending nights with this Vorgeghom, but the gossip was...'

'Yes yes, we know what the gossip was. Probably correct,' the judge said, winking at her colleagues. 'Anyway, she is a civilian and we couldn't confirm any suspicious activity on her side. Did you ever see her leaving the camp with the rest?'

'No, I did not. Though I would not reject such a possibility...'

'You are not here to give us advice. Go on with the facts. You said on the first meeting you saw this general....' she checked through her notes, 'general Maphara? Mamara? Something like that.'

'I did. Twice. They were sneaking out after the dark. Two of them, Vorgeghom and Lileghom. They were meeting this Skey-Er general, I saw him clearly.'

'Why didn't you report it right away?'

'I... didn't think I should. I mean... it didn't cross my mind that our brother and sister could collaborate with the enemy. I thought, I don't know, that he's spying for us, or this is a secret mission to get more supplies... Varsheghom saved our lives during that Singing Dragons battle. We all trusted her. Vorgeghom... he was an outsider but trained the krools. He's the best dragons master in Solummger. And Lileghom... you know who her friend was.'

'Maybe Lileghom lost her marbles after Asdraghom was killed. Never mind, you should have reported. Seriously, you think it's important to know what people have on their plates and you didn't think it was important that a Skey-Er man is meeting secretly with our soldiers?'

The young man was sitting with his head down, the other two judges were fervently scribbling something.

'I... did report... after. When Varsheghom started putting pressure on the generals to speak to the king... when they started asking why there was a Skey-Er safe conduct certificate among her things. Then I told.'

'Well, better late than never. Anything else we should know? Anything you remember apart from what you could smell while passing the kitchen or some other nonsense like that?'

'No, I don't think so.'

'Any questions from my colleagues? No? You can go. Come to me if you remember anything,' the woman said and stood up taking the documents. She was short and rather skinny but scared the hell out of him. 'Bitch' he mouthed looking at her and went outside.

It was almost lunchtime. He could smell cloves and boiled rice when he passed the kitchen and has already started planning to have it with a roasted rabbit and a glass of red wine.

#

'I think we have enough. He was the last witness. I can't believe something like that could happen, under my service. Treason in the army! Collaboration!'

'Madam, if you pass your verdict... they will be killed.'

'If they need to be killed, they shall be killed. And that would be the end of the story.'

'Maybe we should ask them why they did what they did?'

'Why?'

'Maybe they had a good reason.'

But in the end, none of them gave a good reason. Briefly, before being separated they agreed not to say a word about the truth behind the fence protecting the Nogo Forest, or about the Deinos Project. Not with Landhapis ears everywhere.

The military court used local gaol in the port town of Deyocma to lock the prisoners charged with state treason. Everyone in a different cell far apart from each other. Magalla didn't have trouble finding the place. One of the Solummger soldiers charged with guarding the prison was a corporal with a hand on a sling. He recognised her as the person whose life she saved with a tourniquet when a bone pierced his veins from inside. He let her inside for ten minutes.

She was led to a room with a thick glass wall in front of the cell bars, pierced only with narrow holes to enable the sound to pass through. This way the prisoner and the visitor stayed away from each other.

Verlar lifted his head when she entered and smiled the most tired smile. He lost weight, his face was covered with an untrimmed beard and moustache, his hair was longer and unwashed. For a moment they just stood touching the glass on the opposite sides. Magalla focused all her energy on trying not to cry.

'Solummger is withholding any actions. Our mission didn't completely fail,' she started telling him about the recent decisions. 'They know Landhapis has lied about Skey-Er planning to conquer the world. Our troops are moved to the stations in the east... They can't charge you with treason!' she said desperately.

'Why not? We have been trying to talk the Solummger generals out of this war. That's a fact. Someone saw us meeting with Yaphara, we won't expose him or his mission so we will stick to the official version for his sake.' His voice was calm and emotionless. He already knew how it was going to end and made peace with it.

'But the rest of the accusations are just ridiculous!'

'Doesn't matter. We can't and won't deny cooperating with a Skey-Er general or trying to stop Landhapis from winning. It's done.' Verlar said calmly.

'I will go and tell...'

'No! Magalla, listen. You can't say anything. You are a civilian and out of suspicion. If you start talking you will be arrested and silenced before you can explain a thing. You will face the fate of a collaborator. Don't go this path. And the last, the most important thing: you are now the only person who knows the truth. You, Magalla, are the last hope the Nogo tribe has. Stay out of suspicion, keep your head low. You must not give the inquisition any reason to doubt your loyalty,' he said vigorously. 'Leave the nursing squad. Find a way to help the dragons. You can do it, and only you.'

‘Verlar, when I arrived at the camp and heard you were taken I went to see Yaphara. But he told me… there was no time. I’m sorry…’

‘Don’t be, Gally. You shouldn’t have risked it. It’s fine. Nobody is immortal. We survived more than many in this war. I met you… it was a good life.’

'What is going to happen to you?' Magalla asked, feeling resigned.

'Depends. If we are tried as soldiers, we will be stripped of our ranks, named traitors and executed by shooting. If on top of that we are tried like civilians we will be hanged. I'd rather be shot,' he finished with a sad smile.

Magalla swallowed her tears silently.

'You are being sailed to Solummger? Right?' after a moment she asked.

'That's what I heard. To the capital for the final trial. I'm guessing king Tharhes will do it himself, in public, put on a show with a crowd to set an example.'

'I'll follow you. Board a ship even today. I won't leave you, I'll be there. Whatever it takes. And don't worry, I will never give any reason for anybody to doubt my loyalty. Today I just visited my ex-lover who never told me he was a spy. My heart is broken and my pride wounded, I'm furious and angry at you. You just used me for fun, you never cared for me. I was your toy.'

Verlar nodded.

'That's the best version. Stick to it.'

There was a bang on the door and a voice announced: 'Time's up!'

'Go. Maybe I'll see you again... you should know, Magalla... that I love you.'

She smiled and said:

'I have loved you for some time now,' her voice shook for a fraction of a second.

'I have seen it...'

The door opened and she was gone.